Primary primer: New Hampshire’s ‘First in the nation’ tradition

As New Hampshire voters head to the polls for the first primary in the 2016 US presidential election tonight starting at midnight, RT brings you this handy primary primer for those who are still in a thick New England fog when it comes to how it all works.

CAUCUS vs PRIMARY

New Hampshire's primary is different to Iowa’s Democratic caucus as it involves secret voting in a booth, just like most ordinary elections.

The delegates chosen will serve at the national conventions this July where the nominee is officially selected.

A primary is organized by the state board of elections, as opposed to the parties themselves.

New Hampshire voters may deliver a record turnout with NH Secretary of State Bill Gardner predicting 550,000 citizens heading to the polls.

A LOOK AT THE POLLS

Unlike the tight race in Iowa, polls in New Hampshire show a big lead for the two front-runners.

The latest polling aggregated by Real Clear Politics reveals Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is leading by a range of 10-23 points against his main opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On the Republican side, the man who took second place in Iowa, billionaire Donald Trump, is leading by a range of 14-22 points with Iowa winner Ted Cruz, Ohio governor John Kasich, Florida senator Marco Rubio, and former Florida governor Jeb Bush in a battle for second.